Decision details

RESOLVED:

That:

1. the regulatory judgement from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) awarded to Hillingdon Council for its council housing service (consumer standards), which confirmed a consumer grading of C2, the second highest grade possible (appendix 1), be noted.

2. authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Residents Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Property and the Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Growth, to approve (and publish) the action plan in response to the findings of the inspection, to work towards achieving the highest C1 grade, and to provide this to the Regulator of Social Housing along with regular updates on progress.

3. the work already underway to implement service changes to work towards achieving the highest grade of C1, be noted.

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Growth updated Cabinet on the outcome of the Regulator of Social Housing inspection of the Council’s housing services. Hillingdon Council had received a C2 grading, the second highest possible, in its first ever consumer inspection. This reflected many strengths in the delivery of housing services, including repairs, safety, tenancy management and community engagement.

The Cabinet Member advised that the inspection had also identified areas for improvement to achieve the highest grade, C1. These included completing the programme to ensure all homes meet the Decent Homes Standard, strengthening tenant engagement and scrutiny, improving reporting and oversight of repairs, damp and mould, and adaptations, and ensuring tenants had clear and accessible information on complaint processes. The Cabinet Member confirmed that active steps were already being taken to address these issues and that a full action plan would be approved and published, with progress reported regularly to both Cabinet and the regulator.

The Cabinet Member explained there were no direct financial costs associated with the recommendations, and the improvements were expected to deliver efficiencies and better value for money over time. The Cabinet Member placed on record his thanks to the officers who had worked tirelessly to support the inspection process and lay the foundations for further improvement.

The Leader of the Council congratulated the team, noting the pressures faced by local authorities in balancing the need to expand housing stock with the need to maintain existing homes to a good standard. Securing a C2 grading at the first attempt was described as a significant achievement and a credit to the officers involved.

Cabinet, therefore, agreed to note the inspection report and authorise officers to proceed with the action plan in response to the findings.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None, as the Council is obliged to meet requirements from the Regulator of Social Housing and meet regulatory standards in service provision.